5 North Shore spots to pretend you're an American Ninja Warrior

For the past couple of months, at least once a week, there's been this:

Me: You know which show I've been addicted to lately?

Other Person: ?

Me: American Ninja Warrior.

Other Person: OH. OH. OH. I know.

Me: I know! I know!

We then proceed to exalt the competitors' strength, stamina and willingness to freefall mercilessly into a pool of water, thus signaling defeat. No matter the outcome, the skill level is amazing. The I-Beam (grip strength, what!), the Spin Cycle (abs en fuego) and the formidable Warped Wall (good luck and godspeed).

Naturally, kids love American Ninja Warrior too. It's basically a giant playground that, in a sense, demonstrates the merits of physical fitness, persistence and committing to a goal.

If you're in the mood to test you and your kiddo's warrior chops, here are five North Shore spots that will have you hitting the button.

Brickyards Park

A diamond-shaped metal dome, an unconventional set of monkey bars and a disc that rotates under your body weight make this park a course-mastering go-to. Smaller kids will enjoy a tot-sized playground and older kids can round up a game at the huge soccer field nearby. (Um, give that rotating disc thing a try and let me know how it goes, mmm-kay?)

Rockin' Jump is where you go to propel yourself into the air via several open-jump arenas (good for Warped Wall practice), dodgeball and basketball “courts,” and a foam pit that's wonderfully forgiving. You might be surprised by what you can pull off with a little bravery--kind of like the day I mastered a front flip into the foam pit (July 17, 2016, thank-you-very-much).

OK. This just might be the ultimate place to ninja-warrior train, featuring everything from ramps to ropes and ladders to pony walls. Whether for a birthday party or Junior Boots Basics class, kids will be challenged beyond their typical daily activity (which means early bedtime, fist pump).

1938 Raymond Dr., Northbrook

Village Green

So, there's a legit Spin Cycle feature at this beautiful Northbrook playground. If that's not enough to lure you, try a climbing wall, multiple slides and a chain “wall” to test that grip strength.

Sometimes even ninja warriors need to cool off, and Highland Park's outdoor splash pad comes through with colorful hoops, water features and a play structure that easily doubles as the crowning end of a ninja warrior course.